US3690411A - Device for self-service stores - Google Patents

Device for self-service stores Download PDF

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Publication number
US3690411A
US3690411A US96898A US3690411DA US3690411A US 3690411 A US3690411 A US 3690411A US 96898 A US96898 A US 96898A US 3690411D A US3690411D A US 3690411DA US 3690411 A US3690411 A US 3690411A
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United States
Prior art keywords
conveyor belt
withdrawal
endless conveyor
compartments
cashier
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US96898A
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English (en)
Inventor
Werner Potrafke
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Individual
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Individual
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F9/00—Shop, bar, bank or like counters
    • A47F9/02—Paying counters
    • A47F9/04—Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An arrangement for self-service stores, especially for [52] US. Cl. ..186/l A, 209/125 use in nn c ion h h pp ng kets and shopping [51] int. Cl.
  • the present invention relates to a device for self-service stores for use in connection with shopping baskets or shopping carts, which device comprises primarily a cashiers stand, a depositing station for the filled shopping baskets or a registering plate for an intermediate depositing of the goods when employing shopping carts, and preferably three withdrawal compartments for the withdrawal of the checked out goods.
  • Cashier counters or devices for self-service stores have been known in various designs for a long time. Such devices are normally equipped with two or three withdrawal compartments. As experience has shown and as ascertained by tests and checks, cashier counters with three withdrawal compartments are with regard to the personnel required more economical than a cashier counter with two withdrawal compartments. For a fast handling of a long line of customers, especially during peak shopping hours as they occur over the week end, cashier counters with three withdrawal compartments are a must. It is, therefore, the tendency in self-service stores to reduce the number of cashier counters and to increase the economy of each individual cashier counter.
  • a modern cashier counter is expected to have as large withdrawal compartments as possible so that a single withdrawal compartment will be able to receive the greater assortment of goods bought during week end shopping.
  • An increase in the surface of the withdrawal compartments runs counter to the second important requirement, namely to reduce the space required for the cashier counter as far as possible in orderto save store surface.
  • the simultaneous realization of these partly contradictory requirements represents a rather difficult problem.
  • a device for self-service stores the distance between the area where the goods are picked up by the cashier during the checking-out and the three withdrawal compartments has been reduced to a minimum as compared with older types of cashier counters.
  • the withdrawal of the goods by the cashier which, when employing shopping baskets, takes place at the depositing area of the filled shopping baskets and which, when using shopping carts, takes place at a registering plate located at the end of a conveyor belt, is with this design provided directly in front of an inclined surface which merges with the withdrawal compartments. More specifically, the withdrawal of the goods is in this instance effected in the center of the device, i.e., in front of the central withdrawal compartment.
  • This improvement is to be such that additionally the withdrawal compartments are further enlarged while the total surface of the device substantially remains the same.
  • FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a top view of a device according to the invention for self-service stores for use in connection with shopping carts.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the upper portion of the device of FIG. 1 as viewed along the section line II-II of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2a shows the upper central portion of FIG. 2 on a somewhat larger scale and as an isometric view.
  • FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates in top view a device for self-service stores according to the invention employing shopping baskets.
  • FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line IVIV of FIG. 3.
  • FIGS. 5 to 8 represent side views or sections of the central portion of the device for different arrangements and designs of conveyor belts, FIG. 7a being a section along the line VIIa-VIIa of FIG. 7.
  • the device according to present invention according to which in front of the withdrawal compartments there is provided an inclined surface extending over the entire width of said compartments, is characterized primarily in that at the upper end of the inclined surface there is provided an endless conveyor belt which has a length corresponding approximately to the width of the intermediate withdrawal compartment.
  • This endless conveyor belt is provided with a conveying device extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device.
  • This endless conveyor belt is either laterally displaceable above the inclined surface or in the vicinity of the plane of the inclined surface is located in front of the intermediate withdrawal compartment and is adapted by means of a plate serving as chute to be covered or is journalled on a pivot mounting which is connected to a slide which, after the turning of the pivot mounting, takes the place of the conveyor belt, or there is connected thereto a further conveyor belt with a different conveying direction.
  • the conveyor belt occupies a horizontal position and by means of supporting rollers is guided on rails while that side which faces the withdrawal compartments may be provided with a border or limit strip confining the conveyor belt.
  • the transmission means for instance in the form of a chain or a belt drive, is according to a further feature of the invention guided by a motor located below the inclined surface through a slot to one of the two shafts of the conveyor belt.
  • Motor, transmission and conveyor belt expediently form a single structural unit which may be displaced as a unit.
  • a motor located below the inclined-surface it is also possible to employ a motor located within the conveyor belt.
  • control devices for the drive motor of the conveyor belt are expediently so arranged and designed that in response to a short advancing movement of the conveyor belt a conveying movement of the belt in conformity with said advancing movement is initiated.
  • the conveyor belt is located in front of the outer withdrawal compartment, in which instance the drive may be disengaged, it is suggested according to a further feature of the invention to provide a limit switch interrupting the motor circuit.
  • the conveyor belt may remain in the position in front of the central withdrawal compartment and has to be shifted only with regard to its conveying direction.
  • the conveyor belt is generally so designed in connection with the driving motor that it can be easily exchanged if necessar I or conveying the goods into the withdrawal compartments by means of a conveyor belt, also other modifications are possible.
  • a transverse conveyor belt which is not'displaceable.
  • the conveyor belt is adapted either to be covered by a plate serving as chute when the intermediate or central withdrawal compartment is being loaded or it may be arranged on a rotatably mounted pivot mounting and by turning the pivot mounting may either be exchanged and replaced by a conveyor belt with different transporting direction or it may be replaced by a plate serving as chute.
  • the slide With a stationary arrangement of the conveyor belt, the slide may be pivotally journalled at that side of the conveyor belt which is the lower side with regard to the inclination of the inclined surface and may be foldable upwardly into a position in which it is substantially perpendicular to the inclined surface.
  • the conveyor belt may also occupy a horizontal working position and at the same time may be pivotable, in response to the downward folding of the slide, into the plane of the inclined surface.
  • a plate displaceable parallel to the plane of the inclined surface may be provided.
  • the transporting direction of the conveyor belt is, when loading the two outer withdrawal compartments, reversed, while when thecentral withdrawal compartment is being filled, the conveyor belt is covered by a plate serving as slide.
  • Conveyor belt and slide may also be arranged on opposite sides of a rotatably journalled frame so that, depending on the requirements, the conveyor belt or the slide is tilted upwardly.
  • the pivot mounting has the shape of a prism.
  • the pivot mounting On two sides of the prism the pivot mounting carries a conveyor belt operable in opposite directions, whereas on the third side there is provided a slide or a conveyor belt movable in the direction toward the central withdraw compartment.
  • the device shown therein has rectangular basic dimensions and comprises a cash register stand 1, a space 2 for the cashier 3, a conveyor belt 4 with a registering plate 5 adjacent thereto, a space 6 for a helper 7, and adjacent to an inclined surface 8 three withdrawal compartments 9, l0 and 1 1 arranged adjacent to each other.
  • a board 12 for depositing a shopping bag In front of the withdrawal compartments there is provided a board 12 for depositing a shopping bag.
  • the withdrawal compartments are separated from each other by partitions l3, 14.
  • a conveyor belt 15a which is displaceable from a position in front of the central withdrawal compartment 10 to a position in front of the withdrawal compartment 9.
  • the conveyor system 15 includes supporting rollers l6, 17 by means of which the conveyor belt is guided over rails l8, 19, or the like.
  • the drive of the conveyor 15 is effected by means of a motor 20 which is located below the inclined surface 8 and through the intervention of a chain drive 21 is drivingly connected to a shaft of the conveyor system.
  • the device operates as follows.
  • the conveyor belt'lSa occupies the position in front of the central withdrawal compartment 10.
  • the goods to be checked are (via conveyor belt 4 moved to the registering or check-out plate 5 from where they are by the cashier, while simultaneously being checked and registered in the cash register) conveyed to the conveyor belt 15a.
  • the goods pass to the withdrawal compartment 9 or to the withdrawal compartment 11.
  • the adjustment of the desired conveying direction may be effected by means of electric limit switches which are adapted to be actuated by a short jerky movement of the conveyor belt 15a to one or the other side. If it is desired to load the central withdrawal compartment 10, the conveyor belt 15a is moved into the position shown in FIG. 1 while by means of a limit switch the circuit for motor 20 can be interrupted.
  • the device illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is designed for the employment of shopping baskets 22.
  • a conveyor belt is not needed with this device.
  • the cash register stand 23 is with this design arranged perpendicularly with regard to the direction of movement of the customers.
  • the design of the withdrawal compartments is the same as with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore,
  • this embodiment comprises a conveyor belt 28 which is located in the plane of the inclined surface and which is not displaceable as to its location.
  • This conveyor belt may be covered by a plate 29 forming a slide or chute.
  • the plate 29 When it is desired to load the two outer withdrawal compartments 9, 11, the plate 29 is folded upwardly.
  • the cashier withdraws the goods from the shopping basket and places the same onto the adjacent conveyor belt 28.
  • the desired conveying direction of the conveyor By means of a food-operable switch or the like the desired conveying direction of the conveyor may be selected. If, however, it is desired to load the intermediate withdrawal compartment 10, it is merely necessary to fold plate 29 downwardly.
  • the surface of plate 29, preferably made of metal, serves as slide or chute.
  • the conveyor belt occupies a horizontal position.
  • the conveyor belt 30 is journalled so that it can be pivoted within certain limits and so that with the folding of plate 31 in downward direction, the conveyor belt will be lifted into the plane of the inclined surface 8.
  • FIG. 6 differs from that of FIGS. 3 and 4 primarily in that for covering the conveyor belt 32 there is provided a displaceable plate 33 which at the upper side is additionally equipped with a rail 34.
  • the conveyor belt 35 and the plate 36 are arranged in a rotatably journalled frame in such a way that selective.- ly the conveyor belt 35 or plate 36 may be shifted into the upper position of use.
  • FIG. 8 a design according to FIG. 8 may be employed.
  • two conveyor belts 38, 39 designed in the form of a prism and extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device while moving in opposite directions are provided on a rotatably journalled frame 37.
  • a further conveyor belt 40 which as far as its conveying direction is concerned, is directed toward the central withdrawal compartment.
  • the individual conveyor belts may circulate continuously so that for purposes of conveying the goods to one of the three withdrawal compartments, it is merely necessary to shift the desired conveyor belt to its position of use.
  • the conveyor belt 40 may, however, also be replaced by a plate serving as slide or chute.
  • An arrangement for self-service stores which includes: a cashier stand, a deposit station arranged within manual reach from said cashier stand for receiving goods selected by a customer for purchase, at least two withdrawal compartments arranged alongside each other and each having a loading opening at one end facing in the direction toward said cashier stand, slide table means interposed between said cashier stand on one hand and said withdrawal compartment on the other hand while being downwardly inclined from said cashier stand toward said withdrawal compartments for causing goods placed at the upper portion of the said slide table means to slide toward the respective adjacent withdrawal compartment at the lower side of said table means, and controllable endless conveyor belt means arranged adjacent said slide table means and movable relative thereto and relative to said withdrawal compartments for selectively conveying goods placed on said endless conveyor belt means to one of withdrawal with compartments, said endless conveyor belt means having a conveying direction transverse to said loading openings, said endless conveyor belt means having its surface inclined at approximately the same angle as said slide table means and including slide plate means associated with said endless conveyor belt

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  • Handcart (AREA)
  • Structure Of Belt Conveyors (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
US96898A 1969-12-12 1970-12-10 Device for self-service stores Expired - Lifetime US3690411A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1962319A DE1962319C3 (de) 1969-12-12 1969-12-12 Abrechnungsstand in Selbstbedienungsläden

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3690411A true US3690411A (en) 1972-09-12

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US96898A Expired - Lifetime US3690411A (en) 1969-12-12 1970-12-10 Device for self-service stores

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3690411A (ja)
JP (1) JPS5018699B1 (ja)
AT (2) AT306297B (ja)
DE (1) DE1962319C3 (ja)
DK (1) DK134768B (ja)
FI (1) FI47954C (ja)
SE (1) SE376362B (ja)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4265336A (en) * 1977-12-23 1981-05-05 Almor Corporation Convertible single-double belt check-out counter
US4474288A (en) * 1980-01-22 1984-10-02 St. Charles Manufacturing Co. Check-out counter system
US4676343A (en) * 1984-07-09 1987-06-30 Checkrobot Inc. Self-service distribution system
US5424534A (en) * 1993-08-02 1995-06-13 Rodlin Instruments, Inc. Retail checkstand device with removable controller
US20070051561A1 (en) * 2005-09-02 2007-03-08 International Business Machines Corporation Item accumulation area divider for a checkout counter
US20150272349A1 (en) * 2012-10-31 2015-10-01 Peoplepos Ltd. Registration area, loading area, and packing area of a checkout counter, a checkout counter and a method for operation of a roundtable packing area of a checkout counter
ES2879559A1 (es) * 2020-05-21 2021-11-22 Standard Solar Desarrollos Tecnicos Sl Sistema de deslizamiento de productos para expositor
USD988768S1 (en) * 2017-11-23 2023-06-13 Mtr Holdings Inc. Checkout counter

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL289884A (ja) * 1962-03-09
US2060153A (en) * 1934-02-23 1936-11-10 Charles E Whipple Fruit sorting apparatus and method
US2625241A (en) * 1949-03-28 1953-01-13 George T Smith Inc Checkout counter system
US3147845A (en) * 1961-01-10 1964-09-08 Prospect Mfg Co Inc Sortation means

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2060153A (en) * 1934-02-23 1936-11-10 Charles E Whipple Fruit sorting apparatus and method
US2625241A (en) * 1949-03-28 1953-01-13 George T Smith Inc Checkout counter system
US3147845A (en) * 1961-01-10 1964-09-08 Prospect Mfg Co Inc Sortation means
NL289884A (ja) * 1962-03-09

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4265336A (en) * 1977-12-23 1981-05-05 Almor Corporation Convertible single-double belt check-out counter
US4474288A (en) * 1980-01-22 1984-10-02 St. Charles Manufacturing Co. Check-out counter system
US4676343A (en) * 1984-07-09 1987-06-30 Checkrobot Inc. Self-service distribution system
US5424534A (en) * 1993-08-02 1995-06-13 Rodlin Instruments, Inc. Retail checkstand device with removable controller
US20070051561A1 (en) * 2005-09-02 2007-03-08 International Business Machines Corporation Item accumulation area divider for a checkout counter
US7516818B2 (en) 2005-09-02 2009-04-14 International Business Machines Corporation Item accumulation area divider for a checkout counter
US20150272349A1 (en) * 2012-10-31 2015-10-01 Peoplepos Ltd. Registration area, loading area, and packing area of a checkout counter, a checkout counter and a method for operation of a roundtable packing area of a checkout counter
US10420428B2 (en) * 2012-10-31 2019-09-24 Peoplepos Ltd. Registration area, loading area, and packing area of a checkout counter, a checkout counter and a method for operation of a roundtable packing area of a checkout counter
USD988768S1 (en) * 2017-11-23 2023-06-13 Mtr Holdings Inc. Checkout counter
ES2879559A1 (es) * 2020-05-21 2021-11-22 Standard Solar Desarrollos Tecnicos Sl Sistema de deslizamiento de productos para expositor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AT303305B (de) 1972-11-27
DK134768C (ja) 1977-06-06
DE1962319B2 (ja) 1979-07-19
FI47954C (fi) 1974-05-10
DE1962319C3 (de) 1980-03-20
FI47954B (ja) 1974-01-31
JPS5018699B1 (ja) 1975-07-01
SE376362B (ja) 1975-05-26
DK134768B (da) 1977-01-17
AT306297B (de) 1973-04-10
DE1962319A1 (de) 1971-06-24

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